The Association was founded in 1976 to encourage interest in local history in the county — both before and after the boundary changes of 1974.

Reading

Reading Branch Essential Information

This branch meets on the last Thursday evening of the month at

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints280 The Meadway, Tilehurst, Reading RG30 4PE

How to find the ChurchThis uses the Streetmap website and opens a new tab or window

Doors open at 7.15 for a 7.45 start.

For registered charities, provision of public benefit is a legal requirement. It follows that visitors are always welcome at Branch meetings and events. Where they can afford to do so, visitors are encouraged to donate £3 when attending a meeting. This is a suggested contribution towards costs incurred by the society in arranging local activities.

There is ample free parking on site.

The Branch offers a wide variety of talks aimed at all interests and abilities, from the newcomer to family history research to the more experienced researcher, all given by experts in their field. Each July there is a visit to a place of local historical interest or to a museum or archive collection. The December meeting is usually a 'home grown one' where members share their own research, often on a linked theme.

Meetings start with a few notices and items of general interest before our speaker gives their talk. Afterwards there is time for questions and general discussion. Meetings usually finish by 9.45.

See the Events Calendar for details about this month's Reading meeting and other society activities.

Other Branch Activities

Public benefit is central to the work of all charities. Each branch of Berkshire Family History Society plays its own part in helping to deliver that benefit. Some Reading Branch members help in transcribing original documents in Berkshire Record Office for eventual publication by the society. Others give talks to local Reading groups and organisations, or provide help at advice sessions and events in local libraries to encourage and help others in their family and local history research.